NBC’s ‘Dracula’ Casts ‘Arrow’ Star as Female Lead

NBC's been rather quiet on the front of its upcoming straight-to-series adaptation 'Dracula,' little known other than 'The Tudors' star Jonothan Rhys-Meyers would take the title role for a series helmed by 'Carnivale' creator Dan Knauf. Now, new reports have emerged that recent (and future) 'Arrow' guest star Jessica De Gouw has joined the production in the role of the series' female lead Mina, but why have 'Dracula' details been in the crypt for so long?

Fans of Aussie newcomer Jessica De Gouw's piercing, blue-eyed 'Arrow' appearance as iconic DC character Helena Bertinelli (The Huntress) may be out of luck for the forseeable future, as The Hollywood Reporter says De Gouw has joined NBC's straight-to-series 'Dracula' as the female lead.

Set in the 1890s and described as a cross between ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ and ‘The Tudors,’ ‘Dracula’ finds the titular character (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) arriving in London under the guise of an American entrepreneur claiming that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. Instead, he seeks revenge on the people who destroyed his life centuries earlier, while falling in love with a woman who appears to be the reincarnation of his dead wife.

De Gouw will take the role of said woman, now called "Mina," the only woman studying to be a doctor at University College in London. Further reports describe the character as forward-thinking, clever and independent, more comfortable at a bohemian party than sipping tea in a drawing room.

The project, created by Tony Krantz, former HBO films president Colin Callender and writer/executive producer Cole Haddon was originally bought by NBC in January 2012 with a “script-to-series” commitment. Most likely debut dates put 'Dracula' somewhere in 2013.

Well, what say you? Are you interested to see 'Dracula,' even with its slow development? Will Jessica De Gouw be prevented from future 'Arrow' appearances? Tell us what you think in the comments!